Form feeder



July 16, 1963 A. J. FEDERKIEL FORII FEEDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1962 ll lllnlllnrl WVENTOR.

A. J. FEDERKIEL BY 4261M A ATTORNEYS y 1963 A. J. FEDERKIEL 3,097,345

FORII FEEDER Filed April 12, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A. J. FEDERKIEL BY (at M A TORNEYS July 16, 1963 A. J. FEDERKIEL FORII FEEDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 12, 1962 T llll rllll I II hwm i i q FIG.3

INVENTOR.

A. .1. FEDERKIEL W M ATTORNEYS July 16, 1963 A. J. FEDERKIEL FORM FEEDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 12, 1962 FIG.9

INVENTOR.

A. J. FEDERKIEL BY 46%; w

TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,097,845 FORM FEEDER Arthur J. Federkiel, 23135 Maybelle Drive, Westlake, Ohio Filed Apr. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 187,057 14 Claims. (Cl. 271-41) of forms wherein a shuttle wheel has a cam surface thereon acting as a drive abutment surface to engage one edge of a flat form. The drive abutment surface may be a cam surface or a generally helical surface having an exposed arcuate portion substantially the same thickness as that of the form and upon rotation of the shuttle wheel carrying the drive abutment surface, this feeds the form generally in the plane of the form to discharge it to one side of the stack of forms.

Various types of form feeders or card feeders have been devised and in this invention, a form as defined herein shall include, but is not restricted to, tab cards, cardboard, cardboard cartons, plastic and metal plates, and sheets, envelopes, books, magazines, tags, checks, etc. A particular use of this invention may be in the field of business machine cards of cardboard or the like which must be fed rapidly one at a time through a business machine. The prior art has known such devices as vacuum cup arrangements to lift a top sheet off a stack and feed it into a printing machine, for example, where such devices are reciprocating devices which inherently are exceptionally slow. Other forms of prior art devices have used other types of reciprocating shuttles to feed one at a time a card or fonrn from a stack. Because of the nature of such reciprocating devices, there is a constant problem of inertia of the reciprocating parts which must be accelerated, decelerated to a stop and then accelerated in the reverse direction.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to obviate the above disadvantages of prior art form feeders by elimination of any reciprocating mechanisms.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotating shuttle rather than a reciprocating shuttle in a form feeding device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form feeding device operable at high speeds and with-exceptional reliability.

Another obiect of the invention is to provide a form feeding device for feeding forms one at a time off one end of a stack wherein a rotatable helical shuttle has a drive abutment portion to engage one edge of a form for feeding the same generally parallel to the plane of the form.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a form feeder embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the feeder of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the feeder of FIGURE -l;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged partial view on line 55 of FlGUR-E 2;

FIGURE 6 is a top view of the shuttle wheel removed from the feeder;

3,097,845 Patented July 16, 1963 FIGURE 7 is an end view of the shuttle wheel of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view of a modified form of shuttle wheel; and,

FIGURES 9 and 10 are plan and elevational views of 'a second modification of a shuttle wheel.

The FIGURES 1-7 of the drawing show a formlfeeder 11 which is illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention but is only by way of example and not to be construed as limiting the form in which the invention may be embodied. The form feeder 1-1 includes generally a base 1 2 having an upright 13. An adjustable bottom plate 14 is carried on the base 12 and is pivoted at a pivot 15 relative to the base 12. Adjustment screws 16 adjust the position of the rear of the plate 14 relative to the base 12. Adjustable throat blade .17 is adjustably mounted vertically on the base upright 13 by screws 18. The lower-edge 19 of the throat blade17 is thus adjustable vertically relative to the bottom plate 14 to establish a discharge throat opening 20. A stack of forms 23 is held by gravity on the bottom plate 14. A first form 24 is the bottom form contiguous to the bottom plate 14. Each form has a first edge 25 adjacent the throat blade 17 and a second edge 26 at the rear of the stack 23. Fixed bottom rollers 28 are journalled on axles 29 to. generally support the stack 23 near the first edge 25. Fixed throat rollers 30 are journalled on the pivots 15 and support the stack 23 generally directly under the first edge 25 of the stack 23. These fixed throat rollers 30* together with the throat blade 17 form the discharge throat opening 20. This throat opening may be adjusted at the screws 18 to have a vertical height which is slightly greater than the thickness of one form in the stack 23 yet less than the thickness of two such forms.

First and second helix shafts 33 and '34 are journalled below the base 12 in a generally horizontal plane. First and second helix wheels 35 and 36 are fixed on the respective helix shafts 33 and 34. These'helix wheels may be considered as shuttle wheels. First and second helix wheels 35 and 36 have raised helices 37 and 38, respectively. The first helix 37 is a righthand thread and the second helix 38 is a lefthand thread. Both helices have the same pitch angle and merely by way of example, this might be :a five degree pitch angle. Each helix 37 and 38 has an integral number of cycles per revolution of the respective wheel and in the example shown, this integer is one. In other words, this is a single thread rather than a double or triple thread. .Eaeh helix 37 and 38 has an active portion 39 and a passive portion 40 as shown in FIGURES 6' and 7. It has been found that an active portion 39 of about 270 degrees of the cycle is satisfactory and the passive portion 40 is the remainder of the cycle, which would be approximately degrees. Each helix active portion has .a forward edge 41, as illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6, for the one helix wheel 35. This forward edge may be considered a driving edge or drive abutment surface to abut and drive the second edge 26 of the form 24.

The helix shafts 33 and 34 are mounted on the base 12 at an angle as viewed in FIGURE 1. This angle is substantially equal to the given helix angle relative to -a reference line 44 which is perpendicular to the throat 20. Thus, with the right and lefthand helices 37 and 38, respectively, the helix shafts 33 and 34 are mounted at plus and minus values of the given helix angle relative to this reference line 44. Bevel gears 45 are fixed on the helix shafts and mesh with bevel gears 46 on an intermediate shaft 47. Upper and lower shafts 48 and 49, respectively, are journalled on the base 12 outboard of the throat 20. Upper pinch rolls 50 are carried on the upper shaft 48 and lower pinch rolls 51 are carried on the lower shaft 49. An upper and lower pinch roll 50 and 51 together constitute a pair and have a nip 52 outboard of the throat and disposed generally on a reference plane 53. This reference plane is the upper surface of the bottom plate 14 which also may be considered the engagement surface of the stack 23 on this bottom plate 14. The lowermost or first form 24 is contiguous with this bottom plate 14 and, hence, with the reference plane '53. An upper gear 54 is fixed on the upper shaft 48 and a lower gear 55 is fixed on the lower shaft 49. These gears are intermeshing and the lower gear 55 also meshes with a gear 66 on the intermediate shaft 47. A drive pulley 56 is provided on the lower shaft 49 for belt drive of the entire form feeder 1 1 from any suitable source, not shown.

The adjusting screws l6 are adjusted to position the bottom plate 14 to such a position relative to the shuttle wheels 35 and 36 that the forward edge 41 of the active portion 39 of the helices will be exposed above the reference plane 53. For this purpose, apertures 57 and 58 are provided in the bottom plate 14 to expose the helices 37 and 38, respectively. At these apertures, a changing abutment portion 59 and 60 is exposed. This changing abutment portion is on the forward or driving edge of the respective helices 37 and 38. This is shown enlarged in FIGURE 5 for the helix 37. The radial dimension of the abutment portion 59 which is exposed beyond the reference plane 53 has a maximum vertical dimension substantially equal to the thickness of one of the forms 24. For tab cards used in business machines for example, this might be cardboard in the order of .007 thick. Because the helix shafts are mounted on the base 12 substantially at the given helix angle, this means that the abutment portion 59 or 60 will be substantially parallel to the rear or second edge 26 of the card or form at the point or area of abutment. This is shown in enlarged view in FIGURE 5. Considering only the helix 37, for example, with this helix rotating in the direction of the arrow 61 as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 this establishes a triangle of motion 62. This triangle of motion is formed by the action of the helix on the helical shuttle wheel plus the edge of the form 24 in motion. The hypotenuse 63 of this motion triangle is formed by the advancement of a point along the line parallel to the axis of the helix shaft, in this case helix shaft 34. The length of this hypotenuse 63 is equal to the helix lead length or the portion of the lead length as used, namely, the active portion 39.

The second side 64 of the motion triangle 62 is formed by a point moving along the actual line of travel of the form 24. This actual line of travel is along a line parallel to the reference line 44 or perpendicular to the abutment portion 59 of the helix. The length of the second side 64 of the motion triangle 62 is a function of the helix angle and the hypotenuse of the triangle. This function would be the hypotenuse times the sine of the helix angle.

The third side 65 of the motion triangle 62 is formed by the line generated by a point moving along the back edge 26 of the form 24. This point is formed by the contact of the abutment portion of the helix and the form rear edge 26 moving along the helix angle. The length of the third side of the motion triangle is a function of the helix angle and the length of the hypotenuse 63. This function would be the hypotenuse times the cosine of the helix angle.

Rotation of the helix wheels 35 and 36 therefore causes the changing abutment portion 59 and 60 of the respective helices to engage the rear edge 26 of the form and drive this bottom form 24 along a path parallel to the reference line 44 and out through the throat 20. After it has moved forward a short distance, the first edge of the bottom form is engaged in the nip 52 of the pinch rolls 50 and 51. These rolls engage the upper and lower surface of this bottom form and rapidly eject this form along this same leftward path. It will be noted that the various shafts are interconnected for a 1:1 rotation and, thus, one rotation of the shuttle wheel 36 will move the bottom form forward about A" in this example. This same single rotation rotates the pinch rolls 50 and 51 one complete revolution and since they are shown as being 1.1 in diameter, this means the circumference is about 3.45". Thus, when the card has been moved forward sufliciently to be gripped by the pinch rolls, the pinch rolls will eject the card at about four or five times the speed of movement effected by the helical shuttles 35 and 36. It will further be noted that the horizontal space between the throat 20 and the nip 52 is less than the horizontal distance of driving of the form as caused by the active portion 39. This assures that the helical shuttles 35 and 36 Will drive the forms forward far enough so that they enter the nip 52. The pinch rolls 50 and 51 form a type of delivery means to deliver the forms one at a time out of the form feeder 11 and in the same leftward path.

The passive portion 40 of each of the helices is radially relieved as best shown in FIGURE 7. This provides that during the time that the pinch rolls 50 and 51 are delivering the card or form completely out of the form feeder 11, the stack 23 may move downwardly. This stack 23 thus moves :downward to be supported on the raised land 68 surrounding each of the apertures 57 and 58. Such raised land assures proper positioning of the stack and especially the bottom form 24 relative to the raised helices 37 and 38. Thus, during this passive portion 40 which may be about degrees of arc of the complete cycle, the stack 23 moves downwardly to be in position to feed the next form off the bottom of the stack 23.

The enlarged view of FIGURE 5 taken with FIGURE 6 shows another important feature of the invention. The abutment portion 59 is that portion of the driving edge 41 which extends above the level of the reference plane 53. Because the helix shafts are positioned substantially at the helix angle, e.g. 5 degrees, this means that this abutment portion 59 is generally parallel to the rear edge 26 of the form 24. This helps assure that there is more than a point contact between the form 24 and the abutment portion 59. A line contact or even an area contact may be achieved. This helps prevent mutilating or defacing the rear edge 26 :of these forms as they are fed by the form feeder 11.

It has been found that forms or cards are easily and rapidly fed by this feeder 11, thus the feeder is quite dependable. One factor greatly aiding the dependability of feeding is that the point or area of contact on the rear edge 26 of the form being fed is constantly moving. This movement of the point of contact is equal in length to the third side 65 of the motion triangle 62. Thus, the rotating helix does not contact a single point on the rear edge of the card and, thus there is far less tendency to wear away or abrade (this rear edge 26 of the form.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the axis 69 of the helix shaft 33. If the helix angle is exactly 5 degrees, for example, and the helix shaft 33 is set at exactly this 5 degree angle, then the point of contact between the rear edge 26 of the form and the abutment portion 59 will be at a point 70. However, if the angle of placement of the helix shaft 33 is made slightly greater than the given helix angle, for example five degrees and ten minutes, on a new axis 69A, then the point of contact may be changed to a new point 71 for example. This new point of contact 71 is at a point where the abutment portion 59 has a component of motion downwand toward the reference plane 53. This tends to pull the bottom form 24 down against the bottom plate 14. This assures that this bottom (form will hug the bottom plate 14 and not be raised up to move out of contact with the abutment portion 59. A second advantage is found and that is that the abutment portion 59 is slightly [overhanging at this new point of contact 71. This is observed in FIGURE 5 by noting the dotted line 72 which indicates the base of the raised helix 37 as opposed to the outermost surface of this raised helix. This slight overhanging edge of the abutment portion 59 thus also assures that there is a component of force urging the bottom form 24 downwardly toward the bottom plate 14.

If a reciprocating feeder were used on apertured business cards and the device jammed because of a bent card, such reciprocating feeder would tend to definitely mutilate the card trying to be fed. Such rnultilation of the card makes successful reproduction thereof in a reproducing punch exceedingly difficult. In contradistinction, the helical shuttle wheels of the present invention do not badly mutilate a bent card which refuses to be fed through the throat 20, and the helices merely cut two small triangular notches in the rear edge 26 of this bottom card and do not otherwise mutilate the card. Thus, this damaged card may easily be placed in a reproducing punch to obtain a new business card with the correct apertures therein.

The rollers 28 and 30 plus the small area of the raised land 68 assure low friction between the bottom form 24 and the bottom plate 14- or reference plane 53 and thus the bottom form is easily ejected through the throat 20. It has been found that this form feeder 11 is capable of feeding forms at as high a rate as 18 per minute. This high rate of feeding is primarily attributable to lack of any reciprocating parts with the consequent inertia thereof. Since there are no reciprocating parts to accelerate, decelerate to a stop and accelerate in a reverse direction, the entire mechanism may be operated at high speed.

FIGURE 8 shows a modified shuttle wheel 80 wherein the raised helix is generated on a frustum of a cone. In use, the shuttle 'wheel 80 would be used in the form feeder 11 with the axis 82 of the cone positioned to establish the helix 8'1 along a reference plane 83 which would be the same as the reference plane 53 in FIG- URE 2.

FIGURES 9 and 10 show a modified shuttle wheel 85 having a cam surface 86. This cam surface is in the form of a helix or, more properly, a spiral having an active portion '87 and a passive portion 88. The raised active portion 87, upon rotation of the shuttle wheel 85, will move the form 24 leftwardly. In use in the form feeder I I, the shuttle wheel '85 would be mounted with the axis thereof vertical so that the active portion 87 could abut and cooperate with the rear edge 26 of the form 24.

In the practice of the invention as set forth herein, the various shuttle wheels 36, 8t} and 85 may have either a linear or a non-linear helix or cam surface thereon. FIGURE 2 shows the helix 38 as being a linear helix, however, a non-linear helix or cam surface may be preferable ovhere it is desired to gradually accelerate the speed of. movement of the bottom form 24. Such non-linear curve is perhaps easiest to achieve in the cam surface 86 of FIGURES 9' and 10.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A mechanism for feeding substantially fiat forms from one end of a stack comprising, in combination, a frame,

a rotatable shuttle wheel journalled relative to said frame,

a cam surface in a generally helical form on said shuttle wheel,

said cam surface having an integral number of cycles per revolution of said shuttle wheel and having an active portion and a passive portion together forming one cycle,

means on said frame defining a reference plane,

means to urge a stack of substantially flat for-ms flatwise toward said reference plane,

means defining a discharge throat at an angle to said reference plane,

each of said forms having first and second edges with a first edge of each form adjacent said throat,

means exposing beyond said reference plane a drive abutment portion of said active portion generally perpendicular to said reference plane by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms,

and means effecting drive of the second edge of the form contiguous with the reference plane in a direction through said throat in accordance with movement of said drive abutment portion relative to said throat upon rotation of said shuttle wheel.

2. A mechanism for feeding substantially flat forms from one end of a stack comprising, in combination, a frame,

a rotatable shuttle wheel journalled relative to said frame,

a cam surface in a generally helical form on said shuttle wheel,

said cam surface having an integral number of cycles per revolution of said shuttle wheel and having an active portion and a passive portion together forming one cycle,

means on said frame defining a reference plane,

means to urge a stack of substantially flat for-ms flatwise toward said reference plane,

means defining a discharge throat at an angle to said reference plane,

each of said forms having first and second edges with a first edge of each form adjacent said throat,

means exposing beyond said reference plane a drive abutment portion of said active portion generally perpendicular to said reference plane by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms,

said drive abutment portion adapted to abut the second edge of the form contiguous to said reference plane and with said drive abutment portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the area of abutment,

and the passive portion of said cam surface being relieved to not extend beyond said reference plane to permit the next form in the stack to move to a position contiguous to the reference plane.

3. A mechanism for feeding substantially flat forms from one end of a stack comprising, in combination, a frame,

a rotatable shuttle wheel journalled relative to said frame,

a cam surface in a generally helical form on said shuttle wheel,

said cam surface having an integral number of cycles per revolution of said shuttle wheel and having an active portion and a passive portion together forming one cycle,

means on said frame defining a reference plane,

means to urge a stack of substantially flat forms flatwise toward said reference plane,

means defining a discharge throat at an angle to said reference plane,

each of said forms having first and second edges with a first edge of each form adjacent said throat,

a driving edge on said cam surface active portion disposed generally perpendicular to said reference plane,

means exposing a changing drive abutment portion of said driving edge of said active portion beyond said reference plane by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms,

said changing drive abutment portion adapted to abut the second edge of the form contiguous to said reference plane and with said drive abutment portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the area of abutment,

and the passive portion of said cam surface being relieved to not extend beyond said reference plane to permit the next form in the stack to \move to a position contiguous to the reference plane,

and movement of said drive abutment portion being in a path at an angle relative to a reference line per pendicular to said throat which angle is substantially equal to said given helix angle and with said path substantially in said reference plane.

4. A mechanism for feeding fiat forms from one end of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

means on said frame defining a reference plane,

throat blade means carried on said frame at an angle to said reference plane,

means to urge a stack of forms fiatwise toward said reference plane and with a first edge of each form adjacent said throat blade means,

said throat blade means forming an open throat near the first edge of the first form contiguous to said reference plane with said throat larger than the thickness of a form but less than the thickness of two forms,

a helix wheel having a raised helix of a given helix angle,

means mounting said helix wheel on the side of said reference plane opposite the position of the stack with the axis of the wheel disposed substantially at said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

drive means to rotate said helix wheel,

said helix having an integral number of cycles per revolution of said helix wheel and having an active arc and a passive are together forming one cycle, a forward edge of said helix active are being disposed generally perpendicularly to said reference plane, means exposing a changing abutment portion of said forward edge of said active are beyond said reference plane by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms,

said changing abutment portion adapted to abut the second edge of said first form in the stack and with said abutment portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the point of abutment,

and the passive arc of said helix being relieved to not extend beyond said reference plane.

5. A mechanism for feeding flat forms from one end of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

means on said frame defining a reference plane,

throat blade means carried on said frame at an angle to said reference plane,

means to urge a stack of forms fiatwise toward said reference plane and with a first edge of each form adjacent said throat blade means,

said throat blade means forming an open throat near the first edge of the first form contiguous to said reference plane with said throat larger than the thickness of a form but less than the thickness of two forms,

a helix wheel having a raised helix of a given helix angle,

a helix shaft mounting said helix wheel and disposed on the side of said reference plane opposite the position of the stack and disposed substantially at said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

drive means to rotate said helix wheel,

said helix having an integral number of cycles per revolution of said helix wheel and having an active arc and a passive are together forming one cycle,

a forward edge of said helix active arc being disposed generally perpendicularly to said reference plane,

means exposing a changing abutment portion of said forward edge of said active arc beyond said reference plane by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms,

said changing abutment portion adapted to abut the second edge of said first form in the stack and with said abutment portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the point of abutment,

and the passive arc of said helix being radially relieved to not extend beyond said reference plane.

6. A mechanism for feeding flat forms from one end of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

a plate disposed on said frame and having a form engagement surface,

means to urge a stack of forms fiatwise against said plate engagement surface and with one edge of each form adjacent said throat blade,

blade means forming an open throat near a first edge of the first form contiguous to said plate with said throat larger than the thickness of a form but less than the thickness of two forms,

a helix W1166l having a raised helix of a given helix angle,

a helix shaft mounting said helix Wheel and disposed on the side of said plate opposite said engagement surface and disposed substantially at said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

drive means to rotate said helix wheel,

said helix having an integral number of cycles per revolution of said helix wheel and having an active arc and a passive are together forming one cycle,

a forward edge of said helix active are being generally radially disposed of said wheel,

an aperture in said plate exposing a changing abutment portion of said forward edge of said active arc beyond the plane of said plate engagement surface by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms,

said changing abutment portion adapted to abut the second edge of said first form in the stack and with said abutment portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the point of abutment,

and the passive arc of said helix being radially relieved to not extend beyond said plate engagement surface.

7. A mechanism for feeding fiat forms from one end of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

a plate disposed on said frame and having a form engagement surface,

a throat blade carried on said frame at an angle to said plate,

means to urge a stack of forms fiatwise against said plate engagement surface and with one edge of each form adjacent said throat blade,

means to relatively adjust said plate and said throat blade in a direction generally perpendicular to said plate to expose the first edge of the first form cantiguous to said plate at a throat larger than the thickness of a form but less than the thickness of two forms,

a helix wheel having a raised helix of a given helix angle,

a helix shaft mounting said helix wheel and disposed generally parallel to said plate on the side thereof opposite said engagement surface and disposed substantially at said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

drive means to rotate said helix shaft,

said helix having an integral number of cycles per revolution of said helix wheel and having an active arc and a passive arc together forming one cycle,

a forward edge of said helix active are being generally radially disposed of said wheel,

an aperture in said plate exposing a changing abutment portion of said forward edge of said active arc beyond the plane of said plate engagement surface by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms,

said changing abutment portion adapted to abut the second edge of said first form in the stack and with said abutment portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the point of abutment,

the passive arc of said helix being radially relieved to not extend beyond said plate engagement surface,

delivery means outboard of said throat to move a form away from said throat,

and the lead of said active arc of said helix being greater than the distance from said throat to said delivery means such that as the helix rotates the abutment portion of the forward edge of said helix engages the second edge of the first form in the stack and moves same through the throat for engagement of the first edge of the form by the delivery means.

8. A mechanism for feeding fiat forms from one end of stack comprising in combination, a frame,

a plate disposed on said frame and having a form engagement surface,

a throat blade carried on said frame generally perpendicular to said plate,

means to urge a stack of forms flatwise against said plate engagement surface and with one edge of each form adjacent said throat blade,

means to relatively adjust said throat blade and said plate in a direction generally perpendicular to said plate to relatively position said throat blade to abut the first edge of the stack of forms and to expose the first edge of the first form contiguous to said plate at a throat larger than the thickness of a form but less thanthe thickness of two forms,

a helix wheel having a raised helix of a given helix angle,

a helix shaft mounting said helix wheel and disposed generally parallel to said plate on the side thereof opposite said engagement surface and disposed substantially at said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

a forward edge of said helix being generally radially disposed of said wheel and having an arcuate portion adapted to abut the second edge of said first form in the stack and with said arcuate portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the point of abutment,

' drive means to rotate said helix shaft,

an aperture in said plate exposing the raised helix beyond the plane of said plate engagement surface by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms for an active arc of approximately 270 of said helix,

the remaining approximately 90 of said helix being radially relieved to not extend beyond said plate engagement surface,

pinch roll means having a nip disposed generally on the plane of said engagement surface and disposed outboard of said throat blade,

said pinch roll means being counter-rotating in a direction to eject a card away from said throat,

the lead of the active arc of said helix being greater than the distance from said throat to said nip such that as the helix rotates the forward edge thereof engages the second edge of the first form in the stack and moves same through the throat for engagement of the first edge of the form by the nip of the pinch roll means,

and drive means for said pinch roll means to completely eject the said first form from the stack.

9. A mechanism for feeding fiat forms from the bottom of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

tion to abut the first edge of the stack of forms and to expose a throat larger than the thickness of a form but less than the thickness of two forms,

a helix wheel,

a raised helix of a given helix angle on said helix wheel,

a helix shaft mounting said helix wheel and disposed generally horizontally under said plate at substantially said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

a forward edge of said raised helix being generally radially disposed of said wheel and having an arcuate portion adapted to abut the second edge of the bottom form in the stack and with said arcuate portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the point of abutment,

an aperture in said bottom plate exposing said raised helix above the level of said bottom plate by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms for a given are of said helix,

the remaining arc of said helix being radially relieved to a level below the level of said bottom plate,

and drive means to rotate said helix shaft to move said abutting arcuate portion of said helix toward said throat.

10. A mechanism for feeding fiat forms from the bottom of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

a bottom plate horizontally disposed on said frame and adapted to carry a stack of forms,

a throat blade carried on said frame,

means to adjust said throat blade in a vertical direction to abut the first edge of the stack of forms and to expose a throat larger than the thickness of a form but less than the thickness of two forms,

a helix wheel,

a raised helix of a given helix angle on said helix wheel,

a helix shaft mounting said helix wheel and disposed generally horizontally under said plate at substantially said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

a forward edge of said raised helix being generally radially disposed of said wheel and having an arcuate portion adapted to abut the second edge of the bottom form in the stack and with said arcuate portion being substantially parallel to said second edge'at the point of abutment,

an aperture in said bottom plate exposing said raised helix above the level of said bottom plate by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms for a given are of said helix,

the remaining are of said helix being radially relieved to a level below the level of said bottom plate,

drive means to rotate said helix shaft to move said abutting arcuate portion of said helix toward said throat,

delivery means outboard of said throat to move a form away from said throat,

and the lead of said helix being greater than the distance from said throat to said delivery means such that as the helix rotates the forward edge thereof engages the second edge of the bottom form and moves such bottom form through the throat for engagement of the first edge of the form by the delivery means.

11. A mechanism for feeding flat forms from one end of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

a plate disposed on said frame and having a form engagement surface,

an adjustable throat blade carried on said frame generally perpendicular to said plate,

means to urge a stack of forms fiatwise against said plate engagement surface and with one edge of each form adjacent said throat blade,

means to fixedly adjust said throat blade in a direction generally perpendicular to said plate to abut the first edge of the stack of forms and to expose the first s ame-a 1 1 edge of the first form contiguous to said plate at a throat larger than the thickness of a form but less than the thickness of two forms,

first and second helix wheels,

right and left hand thread helices of a given heLix angle on said first and second helix wheels, respectively,

first and second helix shafts mounting said first and second helix wheels, respectively, and disposed generally parallel to said plate on the side thereof opposite said engagement surface with said first and second shafts disposed substantially at plus and minus values, respectively, of said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

a forward edge of each helix being generally radially disposed of the respective wheel and having an armate portion adapted to abut the second edge of said first form in the stack and with said arcuate portion being substantially parallel to said second edge at the point of abutment,

drive means to rotate said helix shafts in opposite directions,

apertures in said plate exposing the two helices beyond the plane of said plate engagement surface by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said forms for an arc of approximately 270 of each helix,

the remaining approximately 90 of each helix being radially relieved to not extend beyond said plate engagement surface,

first and second pinch rolls having a nip disposed generally on the plane of said first form in said stack and disposed outboard of said adjustable throat blade,

said pinch rolls being counter-rotating in a direction to eject a card away from said throat,

the lead of said helices being greater than the distance from said throat to said nip such that as the helices rotate the forward edge of each helix engages the second edge of the first form in the stack and moves same through the throat for engagement of the first edge of the form by the nip of the pinch rolls,

and drive means for said pinch rolls to completely eject the said first form from the stack.

12. A mechanism for feeding cards from the bottom of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

an adjustable bottom plate horizontally disposed on said frame and adapted to carry a stack of cards,

an adjustable throat blade carried on said frame,

means to fixedly adjust said throat blade in a vertical dimension to abut the first edge of the stack of cards and to expose a throat larger than the thickness of a card but less than the thickness of two cards,

first and second helix wheels,

right and left hand thread helices of a given helix angle on said first and second helix wheels, respectively,

first and second helix shafts mounting said first and second helix wheels, respectively, and disposed generally horizontally under said plate with said first and second shafts disposed substantially at plus and minus values, respectively, of said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

a forward edge of each helix being generally radially disposed of the respective wheel and being substantially parallel to the second edge of the bottom card in the stack and adapted to abut same,

drive means to rotate said helix shafts in opposite directions,

apertures in said bottom plate exposing the two helices above the level of said bottom plate by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said cards for an arc of approximately 270 of each helix,

the remaining approximately 90 of each helix being radially relieved to a level below the level of said bottom plate,

first and second pinch rolls having a nip disposed generally on the plane of the bottom card in said stack and disposed outboard of said adjustable throat blade,

said pinch rolls being counter-rotating in a direction to eject a card away from said throat in a path substantially parallel to said reference line,

the lead of said helices being greater than the horizontal dimension from said throat to said nip such that as the helices rotate the forward edge of each helix engages the second edge of the bottom card and moves such bottom card through the throat for engagement of the first edge of the card by the nip of the pinch rolls,

and drive means for said pinch rolls to completely eject the bottom card from the stack of cards.

13. A mechanism for feeding cards from the bottom of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

an adjustable bottom plate horizontally disposed on said frame and adapted to carry a stack of cards,

rollers journalled on said frame on horizontal axes,

apertures in said bottom plate exposing the top surface of said rollers above the level of the upper surface of said bottom plate to support a first edge of the stack of cards,

an adjustable throat blade carried on said frame,

means to adjust said throat blade in a vertical direction to abut the first edge of the stack of cards and to expose a horizontal throat larger than the thickness of a card but less than the thickness of two cards,

a helix shaft carrying a cylindrical helix wheel,

a right hand square thread helix of a given helix angle on said helix wheel,

said helix shaft being disposed generally horizontally under said frame at an angle equal to said helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

one edge of the square thread helix being substantially parallel to the second edge of the bottom card in the stack and adapted to abut same,

drive means to rotate said helix shafts in opposite directions,

an aperture in said bottom plate exposing said helix above the level of said bottom plate by a dimension substantially equal to the thickness of one of said cards for an arc of approximately 270 of the helix,

the remaining of said helix being radially relieved to a level below the level of said bottom plate,

first and second pinch rolls on horizontal axes having a nip disposed generally on the plane of the bottom card in said stack and disposed outboard of said adjustable throat blade,

said pinch rolls being counter-rotating in a direction to eject a card away from said throat,

the lead of said helix being greater than the horizontal dimension from said throat to said nip such that as the helix rotates the edge of said square thread helix engages the second edge of the bottom card and moves such bottom card through the throat for engagement of the first edge of the card by the nip of the pinch rolls,

and drive means for said pinch rolls to completely eject the bottom card from the stack of cards.

14. A mechanism for feeding cards from the bottom of a stack comprising in combination, a frame,

an adjustable bottom plate horizontally disposed on said frame and adapted to carry a stack of cards,

rollers journalled on said frame on horizontal axes,

apertures in said bottom plate exposing the top surface of said rollers above the level of the upper surface of said bottom plate to support a first edge of the stack of cards,

an adjustable throat blade carried on said frame,

means to fixedly adjust said throat blade in a vertical direction to abut the first edge of the stack of cards and to expose a horizontal throat vertically larger than the thickness of a card but less than the thickness of two cards,

first and second cylindrical helix wheels,

right and left hand square thread helices of a given helix angle on said first and second helix wheels, respectively,

first and second helix shafts mounting said first and second wheels, respectively, and disposed generally horizontally under said frame with said first and second shafts disposed at plus and minus values, respectively, of said given helix angle relative to a reference line perpendicular to said throat,

one edge of each square thread helix being substantially parallel to the second edge of the bottom card in the stack and adapted to abut same,

drive means to rotate said helix shafts in opposite directions,

apertures in said bottom plate exposing the two helices above the level of said bottom plate by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of one of said cards for an arc of approximately 270 of each helix,

the remaining 90 of each helix being radially relieved to not protrude above the level of said bottom plate,

first and second pinch rolls on horizontal axes having a nip disposed generally on the plane of the bottom card in said stack and disposed outboard of said adjustable throat blade.

said pinch rolls being counter-rotating in a direction to eject a card away from said throat,

the lead of said helices being greater than the horizontal dimension from said throat to said nip such that as the helices rotate the edge of each square thread helix engages the second edge of the bottom card and moves such bottom card through the throat for engagement of the first edge of the card by the nip of the pinch rolls,

and drive means for said pinch rolls to completely eject the bottom card from the stack of cards during said 90 rotation of said helix wheels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,794,198 Murray Feb. 24, 1931 1,868,112 Lasker July 19, 1932 1,890,062 Madden Dec. 6, 1932 2,433,736 Carew Dec. 30, 1947 

1. A MECHANISM FOR FEEDING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT FORMS FROM ONE END OF A STACK COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A FRAME, A ROTATABLE SHUTTLE WHEEL JOURNALLED RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME, A CAM SURFACE IN A HELICAL FORM ON SAID SHUTTLE WHEEL, SAID CAM SURFACE HAVING AN INTEGRAL NUMBER OF CYCLES PER REVOLUTION OF SAID SHUTTLE WHEEL AND HAVING AN ACTIVE PORTION AND A PASSIVE PORTION TOGETHER FORMING ONE CYCLE, MEANS ON SAID FRAME DEFINING A REFERENCE PLANE, MEANS TO URGE A STACK OF SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT FORMS FLATWISE TOWARD SAID REFERENCE PLANE, MEANS DEFINING A DISCHARGE THROAT AT AN ANGLE TO SAID REFERENCE PLANE, EACH OF SAID FORMS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND EDGES WITH A FIRST EDGE OF EACH FORM ADJACENT SAID THROAT, MEANS EXPOSING BEYOND SAID REFERENCE PLANE A DRIVE ABUTMENT PORTION OF SAID ACTIVE PORTION GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID REFERENCE PLANE BY AN AMOUNT SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE THICKNESS OF ONE OF SAID FORMS, AND MEANS EFFECTING DRIVE OF THE SECOND EDGE OF THE FORM CONTIGUOUS WITH THE REFERENCE PLANE IN A DIRECTION THROUGH SAID THROAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH MOVEMENT OF SAID DRIVE ABUTMENT PORTION RELATIVE TO SAID THROAT UPON ROTATION OF SAID SHUTTLE WHEEL. 